Salad recall due to possible listeria contamination expands

The recall of prepared deli salads by the Boston Salads and Provisions Company, Inc. of Boston due to possible listeria monocytogenes contamination has expanded.

On Friday approximately 223,000 pounds of chicken salad products made between Aug. 23 and Oct. 14 were recalled in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has since called for the recall of an approximately 80,000 additional pounds of other salads, including seafood, shrimp, tuna and potato salads made for sale by early November for distribution in Rhode Island, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine.

"Thankfully, no illnesses have been reported related to this recall, as listeriosis can be a serious infection, especially for pregnant women and seniors," said Dr. Jose Montero, director of Public Health at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

"We will continue to monitor this recall and continue our surveillance efforts for any possible cases. We will keep the public informed if there are any further developments, including locations in the state where these products were distributed," Montero said.

Infection from listeria can produce fever, muscle aches and sometimes nausea and vomiting. If the infection spreads to the central nervous system, symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions.

Listeriosis can be treated with antibiotics, so anyone who suspects they may have the illness should contact a health care provider. Consumers who have purchased any of the suspect products are urged not to eat them and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Questions may be addressed to Boston Salads at 617-541-9046 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

If you have questions about listeriosis, contact the DPHS Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 271-4496.